Get peace of mind

81 Mercedes c230 Consumer Reviews and Complaints

A link has directed you to this review. Its location on this page may change next time you visit.

Page 1
Reviews 1 - 30

Gregory of Schenectady, NY
Verified Reviewer

Original review: Nov. 3, 2018

I bought this car, a 1998 SLK 230, 3 months ago. I paid too much for it because I wanted it and they are generally very hard to come by. Although 20 years old, everyone thinks it came off the showroom floor a couple years ago. I love it and hate it, I had it one week and it had to go to dealer because the alarm system went off & would not turn off. I asked dealership to remove it, I didn't want it. But they said you cannot remove it because it is tied into the tail lights and turn signal function (and indeed, they would not work), It cost me $2400.00 just to get a new alarm system!!! I asked them to replace the shocks because they were not too good. I did not have a clue. They cost $314. EACH, not including labor! I didn't find out till after the work was done. I had a couple other things done also. I have now spent $800 more than I paid for the car in just repairs! Fortunately the engine and drivetrain have been excellent since I bought it.

Best late model used car I've ever had and I will never buy another American car or truck again. Ford fires, Dodge truck 360v8 dead at 104,356 MI, gm-Northstar head bolt studs fail @100,000 MI, Duramax diesel- injector pump under intake manifold fails @ 100,000 MI ($3,000), GM everything with plastic intake gaskets from '96-2006, etc. I'M done being burned by greedy American companies that only care about money and stock price and nothing about quality and customer service.

How do I start the lawsuit or a Class Action Lawsuit? I purchased a 2007 C230 in 2012 with only 65k miles on it. After purchasing had repeat problems with fuel sensor, Battery draining constantly replaced at least 7x. Lost my job because always late for work. And It was NEVER in an accident or fender bender yet my airbag deployed light came on. And for this reason the car that I paid $17k for 3yrs later dealerships would only give me $4k because of the deployed airbag light. I only owed $7k and after paying too many out of pocket costs it ended up getting repoed. Due to mental anguish I'm now on SSI and currently homeless living in a shelter because of this Company. Now BAD credit, No CAR and I am enraged after reading all of these comments and obviously MB knew. Please if you're an atty and you read my story please email me ASAP.

Helpful

15 people found this review helpful

Mark of Whittier, CA
Verified Reviewer

Original review: Jan. 24, 2018

Purchased a 2006 C 230 AMG with 155,000 miles for around $3500 private party. Was not expecting much. Car drives great and gets better gas mileage than my Lexus RX. Car gets stuck in drive when I come to a stop on occasion. Have to put in neutral shut off restart and will go into park. Not a big issue but frustrating if there were an emergency and had to respond quickly. I took into Amco as they said transmission was fine. Appears to be a shifter issue. Anyone else experiencing same problem?

Helpful

34 people found this review helpful

Trinity of Sacramento, CA
Verified Reviewer

Original review: June 2, 2017

Mercedes built their product and customer service up with intentions to lead other competing companies as soon as Mercedes reached their goal of higher class customers and once Mercedes earned the higher class trust and they earned the faithful high-class customers. Mercedes knew they could rob the lower class who by these cars used. Mercedes like all of the monopoly companies in the world have all done the same (Robbing all customers worldwide). Companies who do this are nothing but thieves who rob customers and all have the same objective of ruling the world and want to eliminate competition companies from competing. What these companies forget is that we as people all ethnicities, race & color are who made these companies who they are to date and they forget without customers. They lose money and respect from their companies.

They wouldn't have anything without us as customers and when companies choose money over customers. They forget customers can destroy these elite and big companies by joining forces and taking a stand and stop purchasing all their products and taking our business to smaller companies. Prices might be higher but worth not getting. Robbed of hard working money that we earn not them. Without us these companies are nothing without customers. We're tired of getting screwed in trusting these companies who rob us with cheaper products who end up being defective and their choices have consequences for misleading customers and robbing customers. We have rights to make change in these companies who rob us.

I bought a used 07 c230 for $9000 cash last year. It was first car. I test drove and being a disabled war veteran who fought for years to get the back pay rightfully owed to me by government. Promised and fighting to survive over decades to prove my case. I thought purchasing this car would be a good choice. It's only been worse choice. A year later I'm finding out a Mercedes dealer sale on this car for five years while investigation and lawsuit was in process on the transmission defects that cost customers anywhere from $6000-$8000 to repair defective part. But the idiots who were suing for this defective part recall. Screwed all and any other customers who were affected by this part and settled out of court before judge made a recall on these cars and now affected customers are screwed to ever take this defective product in court again.

Thank you for settling class action lawsuit out of court order and before a ruling by a judge. As soon as this case was settled the dealership in Fresno, Ca. Knowing and sitting on this car with known transmission and engine defects. Put car up for auction to used dealer from Sacramento, Ca. Once Fresno dealership knew they wouldn't have to fix the recalled product and lose the money lost to fix and time it would cost Mercedes to change defective recalled part for free. So now after buying this lemon car have no recourse since I didn't pay $60,000 on a loan from dealership. I can't hold Mercedes or Fresno dealership responsible selling a lemon of a car. The transmission has problems and in the winter I set the owner manual setting to keep windows defrosted in winter time and now magnetic AC compressor has electronic shorted out and failed after setting this user setting Mercedes publishes in owner manual.

Three months later its summer time again. Try to turn setting of AC back on and now AC system has failed and cost me around $1500 to replace and refill AC system. All this only proves Mercedes only cares about money and not customers anymore and they think they aren't going to be held to responsibility in these defective products or part replacing needing to be recalled by Automotive Customer Affairs Bureau is supposed to hold these car companies responsible. Definitely not doing their jobs of protecting customers rights on these lemon cars sold to public. Need to be fired and company shut down for not protecting customers like government promised us. This company would do another waste of tax payer dollars.

So I bought a 1999 Mercedes-Benz C230 Kompressor November 2015. Yes it had minor big issues but they were bearable. Today, a year later, my front windows stop working. My seats are stuck in only a comfortable position only I can ride in (anyone else trying to drive it might be too short or too tall). My sunroof don't work nor do my heater/Ac. My check engine light is on but everything else is good. I just need to know how much it is for me to get everything working again. I really love my car and I want to ride with it but it's so hard dealing with these car issues especially in all these different weather.

Helpful

46 people found this review helpful

Alesha of Maryville, TN

Original review: Sept. 19, 2016

I've had my C230 Mercedes Compressor for two years, and am the second owner if I remember correctly. When I first got the car, it was in excellent condition. Sometime last year, I was driving with the sunroof open, and heard a loud pop. Turns out something had broken off, leaving a small piece of the sunroof track sticking up. I could still use the sunroof as long as I held the piece down whenever I closed it. A few months ago, I had the sunroof open, and it made a horrible noise when I tried to close it. It would not budge and became stuck open. My dad was able to fix it enough to wear it closed, but it no longer works and the black cover to the sunroof is stuck and will not close.

Another time, I tried to close the cup holder cover to find that the front part had completely broken off, leaving the rest of the cover stuck inside under the console. The rubber seal on my passenger door also came loose, leaving part of it hanging out of the door. And a few weeks ago, I opened my trunk and the rubber seal on the right side had come loose and was sticking out of the trunk.

Today, I opened the trunk to show my dad, and the seal on the other side almost came off. I hardly ever use my trunk and don't understand how the seals could be breaking. One of my reverse lights just won't come on, even after changing the bulbs. The little compartment under the stereo (not the one with the cover) gets very sticky on hot days and I think it could be melting. My car also jerks, or kicks pretty frequently. And it shakes and vibrates if I go over 55 mph. Overall, it's a beautiful car, but too many things are messing up to have only owned it for two years.

Purchased for 3k after ttl with 160k and 1 original owner. Now with a sprinkle of common sense before you buy, check the idle after you warm up 800k floating. Potentially be a expensive fix very soon), put one foot on the front tire and pull up on the fender make sure it's not rocking heavily (struts/bushings/motor mounts are designed cheap). Should you find yourself behind the wheel and the transmission feels off or rough it's because the car memorized the first 40 shift points of the previous owner, really simple to reset to learn your pattern.

I'm in the country of Texas for it's out in 100-130 (index) with the ac on full and a dog out the back window for at least 100 miles a day burns about 1qt of oil every 1500 < miles. Tires don't stay intact for long and the door handle will fall off the back privacy shade might not go down but the windows are tinted. Do your repairs before you have to do them and you're going to get 200k++ out of this ride. P.s. Do not be intimidated. Don't think a technician knows better than a mechanic and avoid buying anything from the dealer. My intake hose needed replacement dealer $80 just for parts. Amazon $12,1 screwdriver and a hour to learn something new.

Accurate descriptions of my concerns with a Mercedes C230 sport built in 2007 is very very difficult to express here. My C230 has 55,000 miles on it. At the last front end alignment, the mechanic said that the car is at its extreme limits of adjustment and that was with 22500 miles on it. I am blessed enough to be able to perform the oil changes. They are extremely difficult one compared to my other six automobiles. The cost is 2-3x what it takes to do my other cars. Access to parts for maintenance purposes is ridiculous.

I believe that the technology in a Mercedes is great. I believe that the design is very good. I believe that the materials used are poor at best. I believe that the reliability of a Mercedes is mediocre to poor and I believe that no one in their right mind would buy a Mercedes for reliability. I will leave their reliability is in Japanese cars: Toyota Nissan Lexus etcetera easily exceeding a Mercedes. I believe that reliability in Ford's Chevys etcetera when cost is considered, is much better. I honestly don't believe that anyone would buy a Mercedes with the expectation of getting a reliable car with quality components and cost-effective maintenance. Mercedes has a reputation for avoiding responsibility for its poor design issues. Royal leaking and electronic cables causing major failures is a common problem and denied but common. Plastic components that crumble and fail is common but did not buy Mercedes.

Other issues I'm not sure if 55000 miles we haven't hit them yet we probably will try to get rid of the car because of the check engine lights. And $19 thermostat cost from 71 to $114 in a Mercedes. I can't understand why a standard thermostat is not being used. However when you pull out the expensive hundred dollar plus thermostat, it looks like all of the thermostat with a small aluminum housing around it. Certainly not worth $50. I don't understand but I see that Mercedes is trying to eliminate its customer base. This is how they do it.

My 2007 MB C230 Sport transmission will not shift, goes into limp mode. Turn the car off, wait a couple minutes, and restart the car, and it drives fine. Also about a year the transmission quit on me and I have to replace the whole transmission. The car has less than 100K miles on it. The car stops in middle on road and this is a very dangerous situation, a known Mercedes defect with the transmission electronics. The next step if we decide to keep the car is to replace the transmission conductor plate. Never again will I buy a Mercedes. This car has been babied by my wife, and has less than 100,000 miles. Any Japanese automobile would have easily provided double the life before failure. This is totally unacceptable to be facing another 7 to 8 thousands dollars in repairs to a car with only 100,000 miles.

Helpful

42 people found this review helpful

Bruce of Clarkston, GA
Verified Reviewer

Original review: March 21, 2016

My 2007 C230 Sports Check engine stays on. Mercedes-Benz service department stated it's the magnetic stabilizer and going out and that it made be a recall on. I notice the recall but my car was not part of it why? If they knew about the issues and not try to fix it.

Helpful

27 people found this review helpful

Carolyn of Clearwater, Other
Verified Reviewer

Original review: March 1, 2016

My C-230 has been a beast of burden. It left me stranded on a bridge in Florida for 3 hours. Am told it is the fuel pump but it is always something. And a thousand dollars? Friends with other brands pay less than half that. And have more reliability. Let me tell you a lady on a Florida bridge on a late Saturday night...miracle I am alive.

Helpful

30 people found this review helpful

Greg of Washington, DC

Original review: Feb. 9, 2016

I have owned my 2003 C230 Sport since 2004 when I bought it with 500 miles on it. I have taken excellent care of it and only put 100K miles on it (approx 7,500 per year). It has been one problem after another. Every 6 months I end up spending $2,000 or more in repairs and maintenance. It current has an electronic problems that will require $1,400 in repairs to address a key switch issue that will not turn and resulted in a complete failure of most electronic systems (starter, electric windows, heater fan, etc). Yet the radio and headlights continue to work?

This past summer it had a fuel value issue (under the rear seat) that cost $1,00 to fix and almost set the car on fire. The passenger door pull (interior) broke and the passenger side of the car has been rarely used. The Airbag service (SRS) light is currently on also and god knows what that will cost to fix. I have replaced struts and ball joints multiple times. This does not include the regular service calls where they change the oil and check the headlights and seat belts and charge your $500. I have driven BMWs and VWs which had service issue too but nothing like this. The killer is the blue book value of the car is $3,000! I will never own another MB in my life and you are a fool if you do.

2005 c230 Sport sedan, 125K with regular maintenance--LOVE this car and then... drove it 120 miles one day (ran perfect), and parked it in the garage, and next day went to drive it and it barely started, and ran very rough. Had AAA haul it into the shop and turned out that the cam gear was stripped--metal throughout the engine; had to replace the engine. Zero warning/indication that anything was going wrong--WTH?! Not sure how to rate this. Up until this happened it would have been 5 stars. This experience is a 1 star--going with three... :-(

Helpful

35 people found this review helpful

Sandy of Cape Charles, VA

Original review: Sept. 12, 2015

I bought this car new in 2003. It now (2015) has 200,000 miles on it. The hatchback is perfect for my B&B business and shopping. I keep it serviced as required and have had only minor issues. It has a 6 speed, rides great, comfortable for long distance driving. I have not been able to find a comparable car so I will probably keep it for another 100. The style is still racy looking, paint job good even after 12 years of hard driving. If Mercedes ever makes something comparable I will be their first customer.

Helpful

41 people found this review helpful

haggai of Kaduna, Other
Verified Reviewer

Original review: Sept. 4, 2015

If I'm driving my Mercedes Benz C230 once I removed my hand from steering will start going to the right.

Helpful

35 people found this review helpful

mike of Saint Petersburg, FL

Original review: July 16, 2015

Bought this 2006 Mercedes-Benz C230 from a used car dealer after the Mercedes Dealer dumped it at the auction. I got stuck with the old maid card. First thing check the engine number, Mercedes Benz just gave in to a class action lawsuit. Balance shaft goes bad and the engine must be removed and reinstalled. Mercedes Benz should pay a portion. Next, Transmission, the seven speed automatic enjoys shifting on its own, may stay in fourth gear as you cruise down the highway. It might stay in third gear at a stoplight, easy way to fix. Just put the transmission in neutral, shut the ignition off then restart and put back into drive. Works at stoplights and cruising down the highway at 70 MPH. Another problem that should be a safety recall.

Helpful

57 people found this review helpful

Jeannie of Las Vegas, NV

Original review: July 12, 2015

2007 c class sport sedan - Purchased this pre owned vehicle a year ago with 67,000 miles on it. Two owners before me who 'kept up on the maintenance'... I've had to replace the thermostat and rear tires. The passenger interior door handle went wonky and broke off recently. This is a well known defect for this particular model though. Not a big deal. Otherwise, this car is solid. Performs, rides, and responds like a sports car. I love it. Brilliant engineering. The maintenance is not cheap, but it's to be expected. It's a Mercedes. Anyone who is educated enough should know that if you constantly drive a vehicle like a race car, or push it to its highest capacity every time you get into it, more than likely something is going to fail, or need to be replaced sooner than later... It's common sense. I highly recommend this car to those who benevolently possess it.

Helpful

65 people found this review helpful

Patrick of Houston, TX

Original review: June 28, 2015

I recently purchased my Mercedes Benz C230 Sport and I have to say I love the car. It's equipped with 18' rims, HID fog lights, has a 2.5 24-valve engine, dual air filters, seven speed transmission, two drive modes, sport/casual. I have to say I love this car. Compared to other cars I had it's by far the best however I purchased an extended warranty which helped out. I had to send the car to Mercedes, well I sent it there twice. Nevertheless as soon as I'm finished fixing what's broken I'm going to have a nice vehicle.

Helpful

41 people found this review helpful

Thomas of Beirut, Other

Original review: June 13, 2015

Since I bought the c230 2005 sport sedan back in 2007 I never had big problems with this car. Just flat tires like 3 times. The 2.3 supercharged engine rocks the whole car. It's the best car I have ever driven so far (had a BMW). I strongly recommend this car and it's really reliable.

Helpful

43 people found this review helpful

mostafa of Sidon , Other

Original review: June 6, 2015

A week ago my Mercedes c230 started sending a massage saying that the coolant water level is low. Which means that I have to put water every time I read this massage. But that's happening every two days, so I guess that's not normal. Any help?

Helpful

71 people found this review helpful

Drew of Houston , TX

Original review: April 26, 2015

C230 inside door pull handles. I know this is another defect, but why do I have to replace both of my interior door pull handles on my car? They have pulled off with less than 40,000 miles on the car. Has Mercedes phoned it in?

Helpful

38 people found this review helpful

P of Weston, MA
Verified Reviewer

Original review: April 20, 2015

Bought 05 C230 Sedan new September 28, 2005. Had flat tires two times, maintenance fix three times, otherwise, am pretty satisfied with the choice. Would like to share some tips: Do not wait until the A or B service light, change oil every 6-8k miles. Use Michelin Primacy or Continental ProContact All Season tires - run excellent even during New England snow season. Purchase those unlimited alignment package from local tire warehouse, have tires re-aligned after every bumpy road trip. Do not wait until it breaks, change the driving belt and tighten it. The belt is probably the cheapest part under the hood for this model.

Do not wait until battery dies, following the maintenance booklet to replace battery at the said timer. The same as the brake pads and other parts. Before making a long distance trip, try to warm up the car for five minutes; especially for older model MBs. Actually, the said procedures are applicable to other cars too. Perhaps that's why I have no complaints on any cars I've owned... (Knock on the wood...)

I just had to drop of my 1999 C230 Kompressor for blown spark plugs for the SECOND time in 2 years. Otherwise, the car has been amazingly reliable... more reliable than any other brand of car I have owned, and that long list includes Toyota, BMW (I had 3), VW, Audi and Volvo (the WORST). Regular maintenance and the W202 C230 is a car that will easily crack 250,000 miles. However, the blown spark plug issue has been recurring.

It may be that the original repair was done improperly and they were too tight or too lose, but each time I have had to get the entire harness replaced. I just paid 760 to do it again. I am sure the Kompressor engine is not as terrible as the Ford Triton engine for this, however the symptoms DO seem to happen to a lot of people with the C230, SLK and even the CLs with the Kompressor: Gas smell, rough running leading to a blown plug and a misfiring cylinder. My advice is to get the plugs changed yearly, or at the very least, examined for thread wear to prevent this. Otherwise, great car! Peppy, solid, efficient and reliable.

My C230 Mercedes Kompressor locked and shutdown - I cannot get into my trunk. I can open the doors but the key will not turn. I have nowhere to turn.

Helpful

46 people found this review helpful

Doug of Cleveland, OH
Verified Reviewer

Original review: Jan. 31, 2015

Original owner of 2004 C230k sedan 75,000 mi. Never once had a show stopping problem, all minor issues and I drive her very hard. Check YouTube to save money on routine maintenance. I've found videos on fixing the pattern issues like broken inside door handles, coolant temp sensor, summer convenience feature to roll down windows from outside, wiper/combo switch failure and regular maintenance like bleeding brakes, changing transmission fluid, fuel filter etc. These cars come loaded... and everything on mine works with the help of those videos. Tires wear quickly (every 10-12k mi) but I've finally settled on sticky BF Goodrich rubber for around $120 ea. My compressor still gets Awesome gas mileage. The display shows it to you. On 50 mi+ highway trips I get 32-34 mpg. I clean the sunroof track and change the oil and keep up with the pattern issues.

Not sure why or how others are having such bizarre and big issues with the C230k because mine has always been dependable. The only minor annoyance I've never been able to resolve is it pulls right all the time and it's not the tires. I just can't take my hands off the wheel, ever. It's not causing weird tire way either. I've had the alignment checked several times at different places and everyone says the alignment is set properly. I don't believe them. One day I'll find a truly passionate alignment expert who knows how to tweak it and permanently fix it.

I am writing to see if there has been any recalls on Fuel problems with Mercedes C- Class. I recently say on either 20-20 or Night line of people complaining regarding this problem. I am addressing this issue to you first. When I originally purchased the vehicle, I noticed the smell a little after filling it up, but, thought it was due to the type of gasoline I was using. SHELL/FINA and just ignored it. Took it to the dealership and was told not to top it off, changed my gas cap. It worked for a while. However, this past year the scent has gotten stronger. I need advice?

Helpful

33 people found this review helpful

Carl of Port Elizabeth, Other
Verified Reviewer

Original review: Jan. 8, 2015

Best car I ever owned! Services every 15000 km, castrol edge oil and genuine part filters! Runs daily 180kmh + and it reaches 245kmh. I replace brakes and tyres every now and then, and if I have to convert the Rand to $ it cost me less than a $100!!

Helpful

37 people found this review helpful

Shirley of San Jose, CA
Verified Reviewer

Original review: Dec. 31, 2014

I purchased my 2007 C230 Sport Sedan BRAND new at the MBZ dealership in San Jose, CA for $33k. It had 13 miles on it and tt was my very first baby... Miles were primarily highway since I commute to school and work 6 days a week. The car was fine; I kept up with the maintenance. When my car was only a year old the MBZ rep convinced me to get $800 worth of PRECAUTIONARY work done, I was young and naive and did it. Since then I have always kept up with maintenance! Everything was fine until, at 60k I had to replace sensors, okay not bad right? On to present day at 100k miles, I drove to work one day (just 10 mins in), my car started to violently shake and the "check engine" light kept flashing. I was terrified!

I drove home immediately and the following morning I took it to my trustworthy mechanic. Diagnostic was done; the mechanic manually checked the spark plugs, etc. Turns out it wasn't a small problem. It was a very rare problem in fact... I needed a new computer! And manifold repairs! That’s $4K+ worth of work! On top of that my car is no longer operable. I cannot start it. My mechanic advised against trying to start the engine or attempt to drive it (which I can't anyway!). He said something about the fuel being lodged and it will start a fire. I am absolutely TERRIBLY UPSET! I had to call AAA to tow it back to my home. I recently emailed a MBZ rep. No one contacted me back so I utilized their chat feature. The rep simply stated, "There are no recalls" and DID not care to address my questions and concerns. WOW! I am appalled! I expected more out of this prestige high-end car brand! I am better off with a TOYOTA! (F.Y.I. my brother's 1998 4 runner has 250k miles and runs like a charm)! I WILL NEVER PURCHASE ANOTHER MERCEDES!!!

Mercedes c230 Company Information

Join our community to stay up-to-date with the latest reviews, recall notices, and brand recommendations.

Our community members are happier with their purchases than consumers who didn’t research before buying. To see why, sign up below!

Email

THANK YOU

Keep an eye on your inbox, the latest consumer news is on its way!

At ConsumerAffairs we love to hear from both consumers and brands; please never hesitate to Contact Us. We take privacy seriously, please refer to our Privacy Policy to learn more about how we keep you protected. You’re responsible for yourself and please remember that your use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Use.

Advertisements on this site are placed and controlled by outside advertising networks. ConsumerAffairs.com does not evaluate or endorse the products and services advertised. See the FAQ for more information.

The information on our website is general in nature and is not intended as a substitute for competent legal advice. ConsumerAffairs.com makes no representation as to the accuracy of the information herein provided and assumes no liability for any damages or loss arising from the use thereof.